Last night syndicated columnist Terry Mattingly and myself (Fr. Hans Jacobse) discussed where religious freedom in America was under assault. The discussion was, I believe, informative. I was very impressed with Mattingly's comprehensive knowledge and analysis of the legal challenges concerning religious liberty. The discussion focused on the moral issues, particularly gay rights, as the locus of … [Read more...]

On March 9, 2011 the Governor of Illinois signed a law banning the death penalty in his state, commuting the death sentence of 15 prisoners on death row. In the current episode of The Illumined Heart, Fr Peter-Michael Preble, a staunch anti-death penalty advocate, and host Kevin Allen discuss the pros and cons of capital punishment from an Orthodox perspective.
Listen here:
Podcast courtesy … [Read more...]

Note October 14, 2010: A few days ago I posted this interview (a very good one, BTW), then took it down, but I am putting it back up but disabling comments. Why did I take it down? I took it down because Met. Philip, a flash-point in the blogosphere right now, is also my hierarch. On a personal level, the man has been very good to me, taking me in and going to bat for me when I was mistreated by … [Read more...]

Illumined Heart host Kevin Allen speaks with the research director of the 2010 US Orthodox Christian Census, Alexei D. Krindatch, about the first definitive census of every Orthodox body in the U.S (including Eastern and Oriental), nationally and by state. Be prepared for some surprises!
Podcast courtesy of Ancient Faith Radio … [Read more...]

Medical doctor (M.D.) and doctor of Philosophy (PhD.), author and university professor, Dr (Herman) Tristram Engelhardt, Jr. explains why our culture is post-Christian and post-metaphysical, how it got that way, and what the implications and challenges are for the Orthodox family. Interview by Kevin Allen.
Listen to Part 1 here.
Listen here: … [Read more...]

Medical doctor (M.D.) and doctor of Philosophy (PhD.), author and university professor, Dr (Herman) Tristram Engelhardt, Jr. explains why our culture is post-Christian and post-metaphysical, how it got that way, and what the implications and challenges are for the Orthodox family. Interview by Kevin Allen.
Listen to Part 2 here.
Listen here: … [Read more...]

Human exceptionalism advocate and author Wesley J. Smith speaks with host Kevin Allen about the animal rights-animal liberation movement and its insistence on the "moral equivalence" between animals and humans! How does this compare with Orthodox teachings about the "brotherhood" of humans, animals and inanimate nature (St Gregory Palamas)? Listen and find out !
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Kevin Allen wrote this back in 2007 (see: Can Orthodox Christianity Speak To Eastern Religions?) but it hit the Orthodox blogosphere again because it remains timely, especially as we emerge from our ethnic enclaves to engage American culture with meaning and purpose. H/T: Preachers Institute and Orrologion (both sites worth watching).
Can Orthodox Christianity Speak To Eastern Religions?
I … [Read more...]

Kevin Allen, host of The Illumined Heart podcast on Ancient Faith Radio, interviews writer, attorney, and college professor Chris Banescu, an Orthodox Christian, about the economic, moral and spiritual issues surrounding the market economy. Kevin asks: Does the capitalist system serve "the best interests of Christians living the life of the Beatitudes?"
Listen to Chris Banescu on Orthodox … [Read more...]

Kevin Allen, host of Ancient Faith Radio's Illumined Heart program, interviews AOI President Fr. Hans Jacobse for a fascinating discussion on "The Culture War and Orthodox Christianity."
Fr. Hans talks about the need for Eastern Orthodox Christians to engage in the moral and social debates -- call them Culture Wars if you will -- that are being waged in American society today. In this 35 minute … [Read more...]